Transportation professionals from 70 countries are expected to attend the TRB 90th Annual Meeting and we hope that you will be among them. If you plan to attend the 2011 TRB Annual Meeting, we urge you to begin the visa application process now. U.S. regulations require security checks for most visitor visa applications, resulting in a review process that may take three months or more. Attendees will be responsible for their own travel expenses including airfare, ground transportation, hotel, meals and travel insurance.

Regulation Affecting Some International Travelers: U.S. legislation mandates that visitors eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program receive an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding their airline bound for the U.S. This Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is managed by the Department of Homeland Security. Travelers without the ESTA authorization will not be permitted to enter the United States (see www.DHS.gov).

Even if you didn't need a visa before, we strongly advise you to check the current U.S. requirements. Official information on U.S. visa policies and procedures is available from the U.S. Department of State. General information on the U.S. visa application process is available through the National Academies’ International Visitors Office. Please note that citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries generally do not need a U.S. visa for business or tourism visits of less than 90 days, unless they are receiving compensation for services or activities (such as lectures, presentations, etc.).

Please create your Letter of Invitation well in advance since some countries require their citizens to first present an official invitation from TRB before they can obtain a passport from their government, and then apply for a U.S. entry visa. To use the self-serve Letter of Invitation, click on the link below, provide your contact information, then click the submit button. After submitting the information, the letter will be displayed and may be printed.

Thank you for your interest in the TRB 90th Annual Meeting. We hope to see you in January!If you have questions not answered by the links above, please email TRBInternational@NAS.edu.